Announcing WUMC's Lent & 2026 Programming
All Are Welcome to Join WUMC During Lent & Easter This Winter & Spring!
2026 Lent & Easter Program & Schedule:
- WOODBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 10:30 A.M.
- OTHER EVENTS AT THE TIME POSTED
LENTEN STUDY MONDAYS, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Feb. 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16 and 23
- “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?” by the Rev. Adam Hamilton
FEBRUARY 17 SHROVE TUESDAY
“Open Doors” mid-week prayer and meditation, 7 – 7:45 p.m., Sanctuary
FEBRUARY 18 ASH WEDNESDAY
A simple service at 7:30 a.m. will be 30 minutes long for folks who wish to attend before work and for those who do not wish to attend an evening service. Our 7 p.m. service will include music by the Bell and Chancel Choirs. Both services will include the optional imposition of ashes. Scriptures are Psalm 51:1-17 and Joel 2:1-2 and 13-17 with the message “Strike the Right Chord.” Our liturgist will be Carolyn Shay.
FEBRUARY 22 LENT I
The sermon “Obedience” will be based on Psalm 32: Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-7; and Matthew 4:1-11. Our liturgist will be Dane Guinipero. Our Black History Month presenter will be Meg Temple.
FEBRUARY 24 (Tuesday) LENT ON THE ROAD
6 p.m. Soup Supper, 7 p.m. worship at South Britain Congregational Church, 693 South Britain Road, Southbury
MARCH 1 LENT II
We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Setting C). The sermon, “Things I Love About Lent” is based on Psalm 121 and Genesis 12:1-4a. We will receive Woodbury Food Bank donations and gifts to the pastor’s discretionary fund. Our liturgist and communion assistant will be Barb Hunt. Our Women’s History Month presenter will be JoAnn Behlman. After worship, free blood pressure screenings will be offered in the Assembly Room by Carol Galloway, MSPT.
MARCH 3 (Tuesday) LENT ON THE ROAD
6 p.m. Supper, 7 p.m. worship at St. Paul’s Episcopal, Church 294 Main Street South, Woodbury (w/Church of the Epiphany).
MARCH 8 LENT III
“Gatorade for the Soul” is a message based on Psalm 95; Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:5-42 and addresses our spiritual and relational “thirsts.” Music by the Chancel and Bell Choirs. Our liturgist will be Julee Guinipero. Our Women’s History Month presenter will be Mollie Bodwell.
MARCH 10 (Tuesday) LENT ON THE ROAD
6 p.m. Supper, 7 p.m. worship at St. James Lutheran Church, 111 Peter Road, Southbury.
MARCH 15 LENT IV
LAETARE SUNDAY, SPECIAL SUNDAY, UMCOR SUNDAY
Psalm 23 and John 9 are the basis of the message “Was Blind, But Now….” Our “Testimony” presenter will be Mark Davis. Jay Hockenberry will be our liturgist. We will have a special offering for The United Methodist Committee on Relief.
MARCH 17 (Tuesday) AT WUMC
“Open Doors” mid-week prayer and meditation,
7 – 7:45 p.m., Sanctuary
LENT ON THE ROAD
6 p.m. Supper, 7 p.m. worship at United Church of Christ, Southbury, 283 Main Street North, Southbury.
MARCH 22 LENT V
The sermon “An Early Easter?” is based on Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:1-45. Our liturgist will be Dan Guinipero. Our Women’s History Month presenter will be Carol Galloway
MARCH 24 (Tuesday) LENT ON THE ROAD
6 p.m. Supper, 7 p.m. worship at Roxbury Congregational Church, 24 Church Street, Roxbury (co-hosted with North Congregational Church, Woodbury)
MARCH 29 THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION, PALM SUNDAY
The Triumphal Entry in Matthew 21:1-11 begins Holy Week’s drama that concludes with the Passion readings of Isaiah 50:4-9a and Philippians 2:5-11 and the sermon “Lord, Are We Able?”. Music by the Chancel and Bell Choirs. We will celebrate the Order of Confirmation for Luke Nathaniel Shay. Our liturgist will be Liam McGrath.
APRIL 2, 7 p.m. MAUNDY THURSDAY
“The Holy Grail” is a sermon inviting us into the intimacy of Holy Communion as the first disciples might have experienced it. The scriptures are John 13:1-17 and 31b-35 and I Corinthians 11:23-26. Music by the Bell and Chancel Choirs. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be spoken. Our liturgist will be Rynn Naylor.
APRIL 3 GOOD FRIDAY
We will join with North Congregational Church in ecumenical Good Friday worship, hosted by the Very Rev. Tuesday Rupp at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 294 Main Street South, Woodbury at 7 p.m. An alternate 7 p.m. service will be hosted by the Valley Cooperative Parish at the Naugatuck United Methodist Church, 208 Meadow Street.
APRIL 5 THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD, EASTER DAY
7 a.m. Easter Sunrise service will be held at Hollow Park led by Rev. Sandy Koenig of North Church and assisted by Pastor Brian Bodt and the Very Rev. Tuesday Rupp of St. Paul’s Episcopal.
10:30 a.m. We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Setting B). “Love Lives Forever” is the Easter sermon based on Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4; and Matthew 28:1-10. Music by the Bell and Chancel Choirs. We will receive Woodbury Food Bank donations and gifts to the pastor’s discretionary fund. Our liturgist will be Sam Temple.